Work life skittles Talarico
WORK commitments have brought a premature end to the career of arguably the GCA’s finest cricketer.
Three-time premiership player Glen Talarico has announced his retirement, effective immediately.
The champion Grovedale allrounder confirmed last night that he had called time on his career, citing a change in work circumstances.
“It’s time,” said Talarico, who made more than 7000 runs and claimed 300-plus wickets.
“I’m working on the West Gate tunnel project and it’s a five-year job and I’m not one of those blokes who will play until I’m 45.
“I’m going to have to work Saturdays or they will just move me on. Even working 9-5.30 makes it hard to get back to training.
“Last year, especially after Christmas, work took over and it made it a bit hard. When you don’t hit as many balls you quickly realise it’s a lot harder game.
“So that took a bit away from my performance and I felt I let the club down a bit. new low when its British leader, under pressure from a rapidly closing Alaphilippe, hit the bitumen on a left-hand bend and was overtaken as he remounted his bike.
Alaphilippe went on to win his second stage while Yates Then I had my injuries and I didn’t really get over that.
“I know it’s not first-class cricket, but when you can’t look your teammates in the eye because you can’t do it properly, it’s not really fair on anyone.”
Talarico, 37, said he would have played on next season had he not been tied down to weekend work.
“I thought I probably could’ve played another year or two,” he said.
“The fact that Grovedale has the talent to go all the way is more incentive (to play on), but it is what it is.
“We’ve recruited a good batsman (Jordan Moran) and Dylan Taylor’s back, and last year we got ‘Quazza’ (Anthony Quarrell) and ‘ Fordy’ ( Luke Ford), so we’ve got some good, young players in the group.
“Last year it was really disappointing to play our worst game in the semi-final, but it just worked out that way.”
Entering the finals as strong premiership favourites, the Tigers bowed out in stunning circumstances when they were thrashed by eventual premier East Belmont.
But Talarico, who helped Grovedale to claim the second of back-to-back flags, is ada- limped over the line in third, with Gorka Izaguirre sandwiched in between.
“It’s one of them things. I’ve taken more risks on more technical descents before and never had any problems,” Yates said. mant the team can redeem itself.
“They’ve got more than enough (talent),” he said.
“We went into the finals probably equal favourites to win it. ‘Youngy’ (Chris Young) and Gareth (Yelland) were still playing great cricket, we recruited two good players last year, we recruited two good players this year and our twos won the grand final, so there’s more than enough ability at the club.
“That’s what makes it even more disappointing to know that you could be part of it.”